Monday, September 12, 2005

With 134 overs lost to rain and bad light in the deciding Ashes Test, the debate continues as to whether Australia should have stopped batting when offered the bad light option. The poor weather at The Oval has also brought into focus the re-wording of the bad light regulation, which meant that England's batsmen could leave the field despite not being in physical danger from Australia's spin bowlers.

More broadly, it has reignited the argument surrounding the time allocated for Test matches. Should an extra day be scheduled in case of poor weather? And should Tests be scheduled so late in the season, when bad light is likely to be a factor?